TYPES OF MICROLIGHT

Click on the links to see pictures.

Three Axis Microlight. This type of Microlight has controls in common with conventional aircraft in as much as they will usually have a control stick and rudder pedals to operate ailerons, elevator and rudder.

Weightshift or Flexwing Microlight This type of Microlight is controlled by weightshift much akin to hang gliding. They can be recognised by their hang glider style looks with the TRIKE unit hanging underneath. The engine is attached to the trike and the pilot and passenger sit in the trike. These aircraft have been called the motorcycle of the air and are great fun to fly.

Powered Parachutes Powered Parachutes can be in the form of a trike unit under the canopy or footlaunched (Paramotors). Powered parachutes are very easy to fly and need only a small amount of space to operate. The limiting factor with Powered Parachutes is that the weather needs to be fairly calm.

"A" Licence This is a picture of the Cessna 150 that I fly frequently (it's not as much fun as microlights).

Three Axis and Weightshift Microlights cruise at between 45 mph and 70 mph. Three axis machines tend to be slightly faster in the cruise but will burn more fuel so both types have their merits.
Microlights are fitted with 2 and 4 stroke engines but the former is far more common. Microlight 2-stroke engines can come with twin ignition systems and if looked after will give good service and reliability. The advantage with the 2-stroke engine is the high power to weight ratio making Microlights capable of good climb rates and making them fun to fly.

Although fun to fly Microlights can travel very large distances and in recent years have flown from the UK to Jordan, China, Australia and Cape Town. A Microlight is currently trying to fly around the world in 80 days.

Microlighting is the cheapest form of powered flying with aircraft starting from around Ł1500 for a second hand flexwing to Ł27000 for the most expensive 3-axis machine. Microlights have to have a thorough inspection every 12 months by BMAA appointed inspector followed by a flight test by an authorised check pilot.

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